Formal Research Statement

My name is Alejandro Rodrigo, I’m a proud member of the Learning and Comparative Cognition Laboratory at the Center of Behavioral Studies and Research (CEIC) from the University of Guadalajara (UdG). I’m currently finishing my Ph.D. degree under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Buriticá and the supervision of Dr. Debbie M. Kelly. For my Ph.D., Dr. Laurent Avila Chauvet and I developed a computer-based 2d spatial task with the aim to study how humans select different strategies to locate a goal by computing the information of an array of visual cues placed in a half-hexagon shape (to play the game go to http://ae-gec.com/ARod/12_CAN/).

Although the main goal of my thesis focuses on the spatial abilities of humans, my future goal is to continue the research in spatial cognition with different species of animals such as rats, pigeons, wild hummingbirds, and guppies. Furthermore, I want to explore novel methodologies to study and expand the knowledge on how animals navigate and orient in spaces with multiple dimensions.

Moreover I want to continue exploring subjects of urban ecology, particularly the foraging behavior of invasive species such as wild Great-tailed grackles. The first goal is to describe the behavioral patterns of the specie and recognized what they eat, and when they eat. The second goal is to know what mechanisms these birds evolve to promote their survival in harsh environments such as cities,

I also want to continue exploring the life of zoo animals. Specially I want to develop a novel method to measure and evaluate the general behavioral patterns of animals, and stablish new and improved techniques of environmental enrichment and training programs, with the to measure animal welfare and evaluating programs , and fieldwork research.

0.1 Funding history

During my academic development I have been awarded with several research grants from the National Council of Science and Technology (English for Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; abbreviated CONACYT).

The first mayor grant was designated to perform my masters studies (call 290840, January 2014 to January 2016) at the CEIC under the co-direction of Dr. Carlos Torres Ceja and Dr. Carlos Javier Flores Aguirre.

During this time I receive an additional award (Call 290936) to carry out an International Research Internship at the Laboratory of Animal Behavior under the supervision of Dr. Javier Leonardo Rico Rodriguez at the Konrad Lorenz University Foundation (English for Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz) between February and March 2015.

The second mayor grant was given to perform my Ph.D. studies (call 291236, September 2017 to September 2020) at CEIC.

Once more, I earn an additional award (Call 291276) to carry out an International Research Internship at the Comparative Cognition Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Debbie M. Kelly at the University of Manitoba between May and November 2019.

Back in 2011, while working as the coordinator of the animal welfare department at Africam Safari zoo, I won the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens New World Conservation Training Award in Collaboration with the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group to attend the Principles of Program Animal Management course of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (November 14 to 19, 2011).

1 Scratch notes

But why is this important? and how is this related with my research goals? I don’t blame them if they use that money to buy drugs instead of food. Imagine the horror the live everyday. A very suitable coping mechanism if you ask me. I’m not saying I approved this, but we can’t judge people for something they couldn’t even have the chance to choose. This and believe me, is an every-day reality in this country.

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2 Upcoming publications and projects

A summary of the working publications, on-going experiments and on-hold Projects is

Working publications

  • Ph.D. Thesis & Journal article: Computation of multiple landmarks by humans: switching between strategies.
  • Book chapter: Contemporary theories and concepts in spatial cognition.
  • Journal article: Daily Patterns of Foraging and Aggressive Behaviors in Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) at an Urban Patch with Availability or Absence of Resources.

On-going experiments

  • Pigeons’ Reliance on Landmark vs. Geometric Cues in a Novel Environment.
  • Behavioral patterns of a White-tailed titi (Plecturocebus discolor) couple from Parque de las Leyendas zoo (Lima, Peru)
  • Density population effects on the locomotion patterns of snails.

On-hold Projects

  • Using artificial intelligence to determine and prevent foot problems in African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
  • The effects of the Mexican COVID-19 lockdown on the emotional and behavioral health of companion dogs: A qualitative assesment.
  • Reversal of environmental conditions in adult Wistar rats.
  • Effects of environmental enrichment on the successive negative contrast operant.
  • Evaluation of Zoo Animal Training Programs

If more interested in future projects, please click here